African-Americans who made political history in New York

African-Americans who made political history in New York

Letitia James has only been New York’s attorney general for a few weeks, but she has made history as both the first woman and the first African-American to be elected to the post. Previously, she was New York City’s first black public advocate.

African-Americans who made political history in New York

Letitia James has only been New York’s attorney general for a few weeks, but she has made history as both the first woman and the first African-American to be elected to the post. Previously, she was New York City’s first black public advocate.

(Emil Cohen/New York City Council Office)

In 1917, Edward A. Johnson was the first African-American elected to the New York state Legislature. Though he only served in the Assembly for one term, Johnson gained national attention for his writing, including a children’s history book on African-American achievements.

African-Americans who made political history in New York

In 1917, Edward A. Johnson was the first African-American elected to the New York state Legislature. Though he only served in the Assembly for one term, Johnson gained national attention for his writing, including a children’s history book on African-American achievements.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Adam Clayton Powell Jr. was the first African-American man elected to New York City Council in 1941. He later became the first black man to represent New York in Congress, joining the U.S. House of Representatives in 1945 and ultimately serving 12 terms.

African-Americans who made political history in New York

Adam Clayton Powell Jr. was the first African-American man elected to New York City Council in 1941. He later became the first black man to represent New York in Congress, joining the U.S. House of Representatives in 1945 and ultimately serving 12 terms.

(James J. Kriegman/U.S. Library of Congress)

In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first African-American woman to be elected to Congress, serving New York’s 12th Congressional District in Brooklyn for seven consecutive terms. Not only that – “Fighting Shirley” Chisholm was the first black woman to seek the presidential nomination from a major political party in 1972.

African-Americans who made political history in New York

In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first African-American woman to be elected to Congress, serving New York’s 12th Congressional District in Brooklyn for seven consecutive terms. Not only that – “Fighting Shirley” Chisholm was the first black woman to seek the presidential nomination from a major political party in 1972.

(Thomas J. O’Halloran/U.S. News and World Report, Library of Congress)

David Dinkins made history as New York City’s first black mayor back in 1990. At 91 years old, Dinkins is still a strong presence in the city, most recently as a professor at Columbia University.

African-Americans who made political history in New York

David Dinkins made history as New York City’s first black mayor back in 1990. At 91 years old, Dinkins is still a strong presence in the city, most recently as a professor at Columbia University.

(stocklight/Shutterstock)

The first African-American governor of New York, David Paterson was sworn into the office in 2008 after serving as former Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s lieutenant governor beginning in 2007.

African-Americans who made political history in New York

The first African-American governor of New York, David Paterson was sworn into the office in 2008 after serving as former Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s lieutenant governor beginning in 2007.

(Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)

The current speaker of the New York state Assembly, Carl Heastie is the first African-American to hold that position.

African-Americans who made political history in New York

The current speaker of the New York state Assembly, Carl Heastie is the first African-American to hold that position.

(Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins became the first woman to lead a majority conference in the state Legislature, thanks to a Democratic sweep in 2018.

African-Americans who made political history in New York

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins became the first woman to lead a majority conference in the state Legislature, thanks to a Democratic sweep in 2018.

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As founder and research director of the Empire Center for Public Policy, E.J. McMahon is a go-to expert on budget plans and policy proposals. His organization promotes greater transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility in state government, which often puts him at odds with lawmakers and the governor. McMahon previously worked as a journalist in Albany, as an Assembly Republican staffer and a budget adviser for almost 30 years, giving him great insight into the goings-on in the Capitol.